cycling sunglasses – Bicycles Network Australiahttp://www.bicycles.net.au
The Top Australian Cycling PortalFri, 16 Feb 2018 10:17:37 +0000en-UShourly1KASK Helmets are Sky Rocketing to New Heights in Australiahttp://www.bicycles.net.au/2017/11/kask-helmets-are-sky-rocketing-to-new-heights-in-australia/
Sun, 05 Nov 2017 20:09:37 +0000http://www.bicycles.net.au/?p=17489Helmets are a hot topic in Australia right now but sports cycling is a different beast – faster speeds for road cyclists and off-road terrain for mountain bikers create the conditions where most cyclists automatically reach for a helmet without the need for a law. Not to mention, the helmet is an essential part of […]]]>

Helmets are a hot topic in Australia right now but sports cycling is a different beast – faster speeds for road cyclists and off-road terrain for mountain bikers create the conditions where most cyclists automatically reach for a helmet without the need for a law. Not to mention, the helmet is an essential part of the sports cyclist wardrobe just likes sunnies, the lycra cycling kit and cleats. And this is exactly where Italian brand KASK fit in, their Protour sponsorship of the successful Team Sky and distinct styling has sent the popularity of KASK helmets sky rocketing.

Australia has become an important market for KASK and with the growing demand, the brand have parted-ways with distributor Italiatech and moved the complete distribution, marketing and events into KASK Australia. Did you know that KASK are big in ski, equestrian and safety helmets? Cycling is the final segment and KASK Australia now looks after all division along with their young sunglasses brand KOO.

Coinciding with the structural change, the KASK helmet line-up changes for the coming season. The Infinity ‘aero’ and Protone ‘aerated’ helmets remain at the top of the line and will be joined by the new Valegro which Team Sky riders have been wearing in the Grand Tours. The Valegro is all about even more air and by adding this also takes on a less edgy appearance. The Australian versions of helmets can change slightly to their European counterparts as the AS/NZS 2063:2008 standards testing necessitate production changes (such a styrofoam density) in some cases and for the Valegro, the design is likely to be identical but the 215g (size S) may be slightly higher for the Australia edition.

Kask Valegro for more air through your hair

The Vertigo 2.0 helmet is being dropped from the line-up but the ever-popular and more ‘accessibly priced’ mojito remains in the lineup.

The Infinity aero helmet is now joined by a teardrop Time Trial / Triathlon helmet called the Mistral. To suit individual riding position and preferences there is a short tail and a long tail version available. Both have the clever magnetic lens system which allows the lenses to be detached and set on the upper part of the helmet.

A Perfect Match with KOO

To match your helmet you need a matching pair of sunnies… right? The original KOO OPEN sunglasses are now accompanied by the OPEN CUBE. It has the same delightful adjustable arms which are designed to fit well with the helmet, of course they recommend a KASK helmet. The ‘full frame’ is remove which leaves the bottom the the sunnies free and gives an overall ‘sporty’ look. The original KOO Open and the new Open CUBE retail for $300 RRP.

KOO Open Cube from Eurobike

KASK Australia said they will continue to look after current dealers and focus on fast delivery and after sales support as well as reaching out to new dealers. Under the KASK Australia umbrella they are increasing stock and availability and also starting ‘grass roots’ activities such as events and demo-days to connect directly with cyclists.

]]>Test: What is Best Sunglasses Lens Colour for Bike Riding?http://www.bicycles.net.au/2017/05/test-what-is-best-sunglasses-lens-colour-for-bike-riding/
http://www.bicycles.net.au/2017/05/test-what-is-best-sunglasses-lens-colour-for-bike-riding/#commentsWed, 03 May 2017 14:22:56 +0000http://www.bicycles.net.au/?p=16608Sunglasses and cycling go hand-in-hand but sunnies do more than just shade your eyes. Choose the right eyewear and you’ll get better clarity and vision while riding, choose the wrong ones and you risk impaired eyesight. Lens colour plays an important role, so what is the best colour for cycling? It depends… in this article I explore different lens colours (tints), identify […]]]>

Sunglasses and cycling go hand-in-hand but sunnies do more than just shade your eyes. Choose the right eyewear and you’ll get better clarity and vision while riding, choose the wrong ones and you risk impaired eyesight. Lens colour plays an important role, so what is the best colour for cycling? It depends… in this article I explore different lens colours (tints), identify how they each affect visibility and outline which lens colours are best suited to which cycling conditions.

Eight sets of sunglasses were included in this test and in combination there were 14 lenses. Each of the lenses were evaluated in both shade and bright sun. Clear lenses were tested and later excluded from the test results as they offered no substantial change (in respect to colours). For the final results, the lenses have been grouped into six colours; Amber, Blue, Green, Red/Pink, Orange and Grey.

Special thanks to visiondirect.com.au , the online retailer with over 180 brands of sunglasses. VisionDirect Australia loaned five sets of cycling sunglasses for testing and also shared recommendations for tint selection for different sports.

Stop the press!

When you buy your next pair of cycling sunnies, lens colour is important however it just one of a number of considerations. As this test is focussed upon lens colour alone, let’s highlight a few of the other important aspects for choosing cycling eyewear:

• UV (UVA & UVB) protection should be a no-brainer… but double-check.
• Photochromatic and transitions lenses react to light; the lenses darken in brighter light conditions and lighten in darker conditions so better accommodate changing light conditions.
• Mirrored and superficial lens coatings don’t necessarily provide a coloured tint but may just make you look like the 1980’s.
• Prescription lenses for sports glasses are often available with tints or colours though tend have a more limited range of options.
• Colours and tints come in different grades, these can differ substantially between brands.
• Fit and style that are crucial for making you feel good and look good.

Now the scope has been narrowed, we can look at the colour and tint of each lens and identify the best ones based on colour alone. So what exactly should our coloured lens do?

Coloured lenses…. cool or effective?

Depending on location, time of day and weather, your requirements for cycling sunnies will change so for this test, each lens was evaluated in the bright sunny conditions and in overcast, shaded conditions.

A coloured lens can affect the colours transmitted to your retina and can shift, dull or intensify various colours across the colour spectrum. The result is that contrast, definition, clarity and depth perception is affected and your overall vision can be enhanced or weakened.

As an example, for road cycling the road surface is usually grey and enhancing the yellow colour spectrum usually improves definition – you can see more detail and contours. This is similar for off-road riding and mountain biking however the browns and red colour tones become more important for earthy and leaf-littered trails. In contrast, it is rarely important to enhance green as it is uncommon to ride on green surfaces (yes, we need more bike lanes!)

To make lens colour select even more interest, a specific coloured lens such as blue doesn’t automatically mean that the same colour is enhanced or richer. For a blue lens, the multiplication effect (blue on blue) darkens the blue plus the light conditions (sun or shade) can also influence whether a single colour is are tinted or enhanced.

Contrast and definition have been separated for testing, a lens with high contrast but poor definition is suboptimal for cycling. For simplicity, ‘definition’ also couples the positive attributes of clarity and depth perception. Whether you are a road rider, gravel grinder, tourer or mountain biker, increased definition is a benefit and the right lens colour can deliver this enhancement.

Cycling Lens Colour: Video

Amber Lens

Amber is not a trendy colour however it makes-up by being a comfortable all-rounder. Amber provides shade but is softer and more versatile than grey so can still provide good visibility in lower light conditions. This is a good lens colour for road cyclists and off-road riders who will appreciate reduced eye-strain and want a single pair of glasses to get them through almost any condition.

Blue Lens

Not just pretty colour, blue also shifts and enhances the colour perception. The biggest benefit of the blue lens is versatility, particularly for rapidly changing light conditions such as through forests with intermittent tree cover. It offers more shade than an orange or yellow lens with enough colour enhancement to help with depth perception. The blue lens however quickly reaches its limits in bright conditions.

Green Lens

While green can look good, it feels out of place for cycling. During lower light conditions it lends shade, like grey lenses. During bright conditions the shade disappears and although definition is good, as a package the other colour lenses provide more benefits.

Red / Pink Lens

Red and Pink lenses are a wild-card, the little old ladies with their rose-tinted spectacles are definitely onto something. Transitioning from sun to shade brings a big change in colour handling but with positive results. As with a Photochromatic lens (which changes tint depending on the amount of light), the Red / Pink lens is great in low light while for sunny conditions was far better suited than anticipated as the definition and shade also increased.

Orange Lens

Orange and yellow lenses are an all-time favourite for athletes and well known for improving depth perception in low light conditions. The yellow lens helps you to identify the contours and details of the road and trails. It contrast with other lenses, the orange also provides more shading than anticipated however as it allows a lot of light through, it is less suitable for bright conditions.

Grey Lens

Classic shades are grey and the focus is shading the eyes from bright light. Tinting is usually graded from Category 0 (which allows all light through) to Category 4 (which is extremely dark). Based upon Visible Light Transmission (VLT), for cycling, the most common are Category 2 (18-45% VLT) and Category 3 (8-17% VLT) lenses.

Although the grey tinting helps the eyes to better see in bright conditions, it also affect the definition and details can be harder to distinguish. Photochromatic and transitions (prescription) lenses which adjust the level of tinted depending on the brightness provide increased versatility for cyclists.

Clear Lenses

Clear lenses are best for night time riding or low light conditions. Cyclists benefit from eye protection; wind, dust and UVA and UVB rays.

In Summary

To select the right sunglasses for cycling, lens colour and tint will affect the amount of shade, the definition and vision enhancement so needs to be appropriate for the locations you ride and the typical light conditions.

Many brands and models of sunglasses for cyclists typically have a range of different lenses on offer and commonly supply two lenses. If you have one set of sunglasses, typically you should chose a grey tinted or photochromatic lens for bright conditions and a tinted lens such as orange, blue or pink/red for low light conditions. Big brands can often supply lenses only though if the eyewear is supplied with two lenses which you can chose, this if often better value.

Lens colour isn’t purely scientific, if you feel peachy slipping on a pair of tangerine shades and just love peering into a <insert colour preference> tinted world, then factor this in as well when deciding on your next pair of cycling sunglasses.

]]>http://www.bicycles.net.au/2017/05/test-what-is-best-sunglasses-lens-colour-for-bike-riding/feed/1Just What The Eye Doctor Ordered: Shamir Attitude Lenses with Transitions Signature Tinthttp://www.bicycles.net.au/2016/08/shamir-attitude-lenses-with-transitions-signature-tint/
http://www.bicycles.net.au/2016/08/shamir-attitude-lenses-with-transitions-signature-tint/#commentsTue, 09 Aug 2016 23:58:26 +0000http://www.bicycles.net.au/?p=15876There may be an elephant in the room, but you probably won’t see it without your prescription glasses. I’m sure you’ll agree that sports glasses are virtually mandatory for most forms of cycling. They’re needed to protect your eyes from a range of hazards, from wind irritation and dust to tree branches and angry magpies, and […]]]>

There may be an elephant in the room, but you probably won’t see it without your prescription glasses. I’m sure you’ll agree that sports glasses are virtually mandatory for most forms of cycling. They’re needed to protect your eyes from a range of hazards, from wind irritation and dust to tree branches and angry magpies, and of course the harsh predations of southern hemisphere UV radiation in the summer sun. Unfortunately, until relatively recently, those needing prescription lenses have felt they had little choice but to accept some substandard solutions. I’ve been riding with the Shamir Attitude III lenses with Transitions Signature tint for the past 6 weeks or so, and they are outstanding.

I was awoken to my need for prescription riding glasses with a thud at the 2011 edition of the Mont 24 mountain bike race. My first night lap resulted in 5 offs, three of which were down to mistaking the piles of dust swept to the outside of the corners by riders for solid berms. I’d also begun noticing that my riding buddies seemed to pick up on things a lot earlier than me; things that you’d generally like to avoid such as awkwardly placed trail obstacles and sticks on the trail that were actually red-bellied black snakes.

The optometrist confirmed my suspicions, determined the prescription I needed and, after the initial short adaptation period, the difference in my riding was massive. Not only was I no longer constantly getting surprised, but I was riding faster with less effort thanks to seeing the trail more clearly, enabling me to plan lines earlier. So for me, it is either prescription complete lenses fitted into sports frames or don’t bother.

Because I’m always on my bike, the problem I now had was the early starts and late finishes for work, which often meant riding in the dark, not only in winter with short daylight hours but in the peak of summer to avoid the heat. This meant either going unprotected in the dark (when I really needed it) or carrying a second set of glasses.

While a number of sunglass manufacturers offer prescription lens mounts that sit between your eyes and their regular glasses, this setup has always struck me as hokey. Lens inserts don’t cover the full field of view, reducing the usefulness of your peripheral vision, and the edge of the lens and mount obstructs your view. Additionally, the sports glasses either sit out too far, offering little effective wind protection, or your eyelashes brush the optical lens. Irritating.

Shamir, an Israel based company that develops premium progressive lenses, stepped up with a solution to my problem at exactly the right time. After 5 years on my original set of prescription Oakley Flaks, it was well past time to update. Besides the wear on the lens surfaces, my eyes had also changed slightly in that period so a new script was needed. I was keen to see how much the lens technology had improved.

Eye Testing

Those who’ve been to the optometrist will know the process, but since I suffer from astigmatism (lengthening of the eye and cornea) a bit of extra effort from the optometrist at Blink Optical at Warringah Mall was needed to find the ideal specifications to deal with my full range of focal distances as I was ordering reading glasses at the same time.

Adrian from Blink Optical at Warringah Mall gets the vitals

I was able to select any dual lens sports frame (within budget) for the review and went with the Oakley Flak 2.0, as the original Flaks had been a good fit for my head and nose. This style lens offers more wind protection, which I’ve come to value since building up a road bike two years ago and beginning riding with an accomplished road group earlier this year.

For cycling my main needs are with distances of 5-6 metres or more, so I opted for a distance prescription for my riding glasses, rather than multi-focals, and non-polarised lenses. The latter choice was fortuitous – I’ve discovered since that polarised lenses do not play well with LCD bike computer screens. Shamir also offers sports multi-focals with focal distances that are an excellent fit for cycling, optimised to allow you to clearly see your bike computer, the foreground in front of your wheels, as well as far down the road and trail, all in one lens.

The Performance

So how have they been performing? It takes two weeks until the lenses and glasses are ready as the Optometrist sends away, so let’s fast-forward a few weeks and a few rides later.

For road cycling, they’re outstanding. I particularly appreciate having a distortion-free field of view for the full area of the wraparound lenses. This far exceeded my expectations, especially since the lenses had greater coverage than my previous pair. Spotting approaching vehicles and judging distances out of the corner of my eye has improved since I no longer need to look around the edge of the lens. The word that comes to mind to describe the absence of distortion across my full field of view with the Shamir Attitude III lenses is “sensational”.

The position of objects is not changed at all between glasses on and glasses off. This might seem like an obvious requirement but it’s particularly noticeable compared against my flat-pane reading glasses, which for some reason tilt horizontal edges a degree or two counter-clockwise.

As a result, timing the lifting and placement of the mountain bike over trail obstacles remains intuitive with no adjustment needed, and when on the road I felt confident the map in my head of my surroundings was accurate.

I addition to the excellent optical quality, the Transitions Signature tint on the lenses has performed superbly during some very late night commutes home from the office during end-of-financial year. Transitions offers a much wider range of tint than my previous lenses; they can tint lenses grey, brown, and new graphite green, depending on your usage. This time I opted for the colour-neutral grey.

At night, clear mode has just the barest hint of grey, only really noticeable by comparing them to my untinted reading glasses. Apart from vision correction from the prescription lenses, there is no discernible difference in the amount of light entering the eye between glasses on and glasses off. Daytime full tint mode is more than dark enough for a full glare summer day, and a significant improvement on my previous set of lenses.

While it can take a couple of minutes for the lenses to shift between full clear and full dark or vice-versa, I’ve found the speed of change within the middle 60% to be more than acceptable. I haven’t been able to get out on the trails as much as I would have liked of late, but so far I’ve found the rate of change is fast enough. The urge to take them off when entering dark shaded singletrack from bright sunlit fire trails has disappeared. The Transitions Signature tinting system is a noticeable improvement on my previous eyewear.

The Shamir Attitude III lenses are available as prescription replacements to fit nearly all sports frames, with the main exceptions being the “blade” style of sunglasses using a single sheet of cut polycarbonate to cover both eyes. They are fully compliant with Australian standards and block 100% of UV radiation.

Now all I need to do is get out on the bike more and lose that flab that I’ve packed on in the last couple of months thanks to too many hours in the office.

The Cost

The Oakley Flak 2.0 frames cost $235 and you also receive the original (non-prescription) lenses. The cost of the prescription lenses will differ from person to person and depend on your eyesight as well as the health fund and type of cover you have. You can visit your optometrist for an eye test and request quote. The cost of the eye test and Transition Signature lenses in this review cost $270.

Likes:• Clear vision and lack of distortion across my full field of view• Speed of response to changes in light levels• Able to fit most dual-lens sports frames• Consigns those hokey prescription lens adapters to the bin

]]>http://www.bicycles.net.au/2016/08/shamir-attitude-lenses-with-transitions-signature-tint/feed/5The Future is Here – Review of the Uvex Variotronics Electronic Sunglasseshttp://www.bicycles.net.au/2016/06/the-future-is-here-review-of-the-uvex-variotronics-electronic-sunglasses/
Tue, 31 May 2016 23:29:20 +0000http://www.bicycles.net.au/?p=15218The Uvex Variatronics were awarded a Gold Award last year at Eurobike, the worlds’ biggest bike show, and are now introducing electronic tinting for sunglasses to cyclists across the globe. Sports cycling tends to be an early morning activity, but choosing the right eyewear to suit the changing light conditions can be difficult. If it […]]]>

The Uvex Variatronics were awarded a Gold Award last year at Eurobike, the worlds’ biggest bike show, and are now introducing electronic tinting for sunglasses to cyclists across the globe. Sports cycling tends to be an early morning activity, but choosing the right eyewear to suit the changing light conditions can be difficult. If it is pitch black when you roll-out but are returning to the bright mid-morning or midday sun, will your glasses provide great clarity and eye-protection for your whole ride?

The Variatronics technology is straight-forward and provides a clear and a tinted lense. You can manually switch between clear and tinted or set the automatic mode and let the glasses detect the light conditions and automatically switch between clear and tinted. A tiny button is cleanly integrated into the left arm to enable manual switching or, by holding it down, it will activate the automatic tinting.

Unboxing and Details

The Uvex Variotronics arrived in a particularly large case and included a small charging cable and the glasses, which were packed in a soft protective pouch.

Considering the technology embedded within them, these glasses appear to be very normal wrap-around sports glasses and not oversized. On closer inspection you can see some of the electronics at the edges of the lenses. It is very cleanly integrated and gives it a high-tech look. The arms of the Variotronics sunglasses cleverly conceal the charging port and button. To recharge, a rubber tab on the under-side opens and the mini-usb charging cable can be connected.

The battery level and charging status is indicated solely through the tint of the lense. As an example, when you charge the unit, the tint of the glasses turns dark and when fully charged it is light. There are no superfluous lights or LEDs, however it is hard to judge the remaining battery.

The Tech

The e-tint technology was originally developed for military use and comes to Uvex as part of a technology sharing agreement with Ctrl Eyewear. A liquid crystal film, sandwiched between thin polycarbonate films are ‘electrochromatically’ activated when a current passes through; the crystal structure changes and blocks light. When it is off, it is still blocking about 30% of light and when it is on, it blocks 84% of light. All of the nasties: UVA, UVB and UVCs are blocked, regardless of the tint.

The Fit and The View

On my first attempt to wear these, the nose piece was too narrow so they simply wouldn’t fit well. I enquired with the Australian importer who confirmed that the nose piece has a flexible metal inside and can simply be bent to suit and this did the trick for me.

James tests the Uvex Variotronics sunglasses

These wrap around style sunglasses are a comfortable fit, they felt light, and didn’t have any pressure points. The bridge of the glasses rested comfortably against my forehead but I had the impression that, despite the good fit, the glasses were slightly narrow for my face type.

My view through the lenses of the Uvex Variatronic felt uninterrupted and while riding the bridge of the glasses didn’t enter my field of view.

In the clear mode there is still some tinting from the liquid crystal layer. While the clear mode is not crystal clear, I found the Variotronic still suitable for riding in dark conditions. The glasses change from clear to dark in a split second. When tinted, it is noticeably darker (as you would assume) and my eyes are protected from glare, but I still retained good visibility of the environment.

A notable side-effect of the tint mode was that the polarised lense effect was exacerbated by the dark tint and really affected the appearance of certain things. For example, it became very difficult to read my cycle computer screen (which appeared black), a common complaint with polarised lenses. It also made motor-vehicle windows appear in rainbows of dark purple, pink and green while road markings (and repairs) would glisten and appear superimposed.

This effect is called birefringence and it was remarkably pronounced when the tinted mode is selected. I found it distracting as my eyes were focussed on the road surface which had to then compete with shimmering patches and stripes. While I could get used to this visual magic over time, it is a ‘feature’ which I wouldn’t miss if it was excluded in the next generation. A short video of the birefringence effect can be seen here.

On the road with Variotronics

While riding, the tiny button is very easy to locate to quickly change modes. Changing modes is a super cool effect – this futuristic tint-control will make your cycling buddies look twice.

Activating the ‘automatic’ mode is performed by holding down the button for a few seconds; the lens then flashes (dark / light) a few times and then adjusts the tint to suit the light conditions. While the light sensor does a fairly good job of switching the tint to suit, it is a bit abrupt. Without a gradual change, your pupils have to play ‘catch-up’ and when light conditions change rapidly, such as on tree covered roads, it can be very tiring for your eyes and brain. My solution was very practical: the manual mode put me in control and was more natural. My feature-request for the next generation would be a gradual tint so that the transitions are easier on the eyes.

With the bridge of the Uvex sunglasses resting close to my forehead, I anticipated fogging but found that I hardly experienced this. I did get water droplets building-up on the outside of the lenses while descending through cool temperature pockets and fog, though. The water droplets affected visibility and didn’t disperse as easily as on other cycling glasses I wear. I have to admit that my bike was also dripping wet and the back of my gloves (with the built in soft pad for sweat) worked find for clearing the lens.

The Verdict

In practice, the Uvex Variotronics sunglasses with the e-tint technology work very well for changing light conditions. You can overcome the dilema of choosing appropriate cycling sunglasses or lenses for your ride as these look after you in dark and bright light conditions. The Variotronics have some competition from photochromatic lenses, but these tend to have a limited range unless you are looking into prescription lenses such as transitions.

These glasses will retail for $549 in Australia which puts them straight intro a premium price category for non-prescription cycling sunglasses. The importer is planning to introduce these in Australia this year. For further details, visit the Uvex website. You can reach the Australian importer of Uvex Sports products, Emmert Investments on 0417 094 367.

]]>BZ Optics release Photochromic Bi Focals for Cyclistshttp://www.bicycles.net.au/2016/01/australian-bz-optics-release-photochromic-bi-focals-for-cyclists/
http://www.bicycles.net.au/2016/01/australian-bz-optics-release-photochromic-bi-focals-for-cyclists/#commentsFri, 15 Jan 2016 00:03:39 +0000http://www.bicycles.net.au/?p=14735When the new season eyewear comes out and the pro cyclists parade them on the world stage, style is still meant to be a secondary factor behind the practicality of shielding the eyes from wind and protecting them from glare and UV. For cyclists who rely on prescription lenses, clear visibility is simply crucial for safety. Australian company BZ Optics […]]]>

When the new season eyewear comes out and the pro cyclists parade them on the world stage, style is still meant to be a secondary factor behind the practicality of shielding the eyes from wind and protecting them from glare and UV. For cyclists who rely on prescription lenses, clear visibility is simply crucial for safety.

Australian company BZ Optics have released eyewear which they are announcing as a world-first. Targeted towards cyclists who rely on glasses to read, they have released photochromic bi focals. BZ Optics Managing director Kevin Barr says “This lens was developed for those who wear glasses to read – in particularly cyclists so that they can read their bike’s computer while cycling. Otherwise they would have to stop and put their reading glasses on. Also great when you have finished your ride and your reading a menu or a paper at your local cafe.”

“The lens options are +1.50, +2.00 and +2.50. Someone who is a +1.50 and if they have a large computer or watch face will be just able to read them without assistance but someone who is a +2.00 or +2.50 will have major issues – particularly while riding,” Says Barr. “The lenses are moulded discreetly on the rear of the lens (they aren’t that easy to see when people look at you especially when they are dark. The lenses are fully UV treated so are just on 100% UVA , UVB protection at Cat0 or Cat3”

I asked how fast a lenses change in light and dark considers, Barr noted, “The lenses activate in full sun from clear to dark in about 30 seconds and about 60 to 90 seconds going from full sun into total darkness. The reaction is best viewed when the glasses are held facing the sun with one lens half covered with your hand. After 30 seconds if you take your hand away you will notice the difference between the two categories.”

For riding situations with rapidly changing light conditions, such as through forests with bright sunlight interspersed with shade, Barr suggests that the glasses will remain in a mid-tint.

The retail price is $159,95 for the photochromic bifocals. A photochromic version (without bi focals) is priced at $129.95 and a blue mirror version is $89.95. Details and ordering from: bzoptics.com

]]>http://www.bicycles.net.au/2016/01/australian-bz-optics-release-photochromic-bi-focals-for-cyclists/feed/5The Oakley Experience: Customise your Cycling Sunnies like a Prohttp://www.bicycles.net.au/2014/03/oakley-experience-customise-cycling-sunnies-pro/
Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:41:15 +0000http://www.bicycles.net.au/?p=10154Oakley are really proud of their new in-store sunglass customisation service and said to me “Christopher, you have to check it out”. It’s really straight forward: colour customisation for your sunglasses. Let’s face it, when you go out riding it feels good to look the part, and pro cycling teams colour-match their bikes, cycling wear, […]]]>

Oakley are really proud of their new in-store sunglass customisation service and said to me “Christopher, you have to check it out”. It’s really straight forward: colour customisation for your sunglasses. Let’s face it, when you go out riding it feels good to look the part, and pro cycling teams colour-match their bikes, cycling wear, sunnies, and accessories; why not you? The Oakley online store offers customisation, but having this available instore makes sense… as you will find out.

Dylan, an Oakley Brand Ambassador, personally greeted me as I arrived at the Bondi Junction O-store in Sydney. At a glance, the entire store presentation is a different world to that of road cycling; urban and industrial, and Dylan and his colleague Liston fit right in. But as I sat down to chat about the new in-store customisation concept, it was obvious that Dylan knew a lot about cyclist’s requirements for sunglasses and was on the mark discussing lens selection, fit, and fogging.

Oakley ‘brand ambassodors’ Dylan [left] and Liston [right]

Good old customer service at the O-store

Up til now, if you were getting new sunglasses in-store, there was a predefined selection of colours and lenses available to chose from. The customisation option was launched in December in the Bondi Junction O-store and customers can build their perfect sunglasses on one of the tablet devices, press the “print order” button, and the staff will then build it up for them. It is pretty straight forward and for the $20 surcharge you get exactly what you want. This doesn’t sound groundbreaking, but as I went through the process, I had that “Ah ha” moment (no, not the band). So what happened?

Though Oakley Radarlock Path sunglasses are my preferred cycling sunnies, I wanted to try something different and I remembered trying on some Oakley Jawbones a few years back; the fellow who loaned them to me said they looked awesome. These glasses have a distinctive look and have regularly appeared in the pro tour on the face of Mark Cavendish, Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins, Thor Hushovd, George Hincapie, and so on in a seemingly never ending list.

Pressing “Print Order” sends the staff off to collect the parts for your custom sunnies

Inside the O-store, there is a table of Samsung tablets which let you select the model (i.e. Racing Jacket) and then choose the colours and lens types. I went for BNA colours: cyan/dark blue, black, while, and a touch of yellow. The sunnies would the match my BNA cycling kit and my bike, so when I was ready to proceed I pressed “Print Order” and Dylan went to collect all of the bits.

The glasses are assembled in front of you and when the frame came out I noticed they were quite different a different shade of blue that depicted on the screen. The ‘real life’ frame colour was much darker and a different tone of blue, plus the lenses were not just blue tinted, rather they were a mirror blue (iridium). The combination just didn’t work. A little like microwave food, product images are different from the reality.

And now we come to the “Ah ha” moment; I was allowed to rethink and choose another combination that worked (obviously before the glasses are assembled). I opted for a predominantly white version with orange lenses and cyan coloured dots on the hinge.

The new and improved customised BNA Racing Jacket

Assembly takes about 10 minutes

These are the finished customised sunglasses. Whether or not these sunnies can elevate me into the realm of awesomeness is a matter of opinion. Colour selection aside, the Oakley Racing Jacket is extremely comfortable and, despite the thick frames, the viewing area is far better than I expected.

The final product, not too suble but very fast!

Your author sports a totally new look, is this the beginning of something awesome?

When I am spending hundreds of dollars on cycling eyewear, I want to try on the sunnies first. They have to be comfortable and suit me, so I go to a store anyway. Being able to personalise is a bonus, especially when the sunglasses are assembled in front of your eyes and you walk out with them rather than return days later. In the 3 months that the Bondi Junction O-store has been open, about 45% of the customers choose customised glasses.

This O-store inside Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre has the biggest range on offer for the customisation service. Although this is a new concept, I assume that it wont be too long before other Oakley stores start expand their ‘custom bars’ and range. If you want to explore the customisation options online, head to the Oakley website.

I’m very glad that Oakley didn’t go with maillot jaune yellow for their Tour de France collection, though there is a subtle nod towards le Grande Boucle in the French flag inspired colour scheme. Two pairs of centenary Tour de France edition Oakley sunglasses, Fuel Cells and Half Jacket 2.0 XLs, arrived at BNA headquarters during the tour and I’ve been giving them a solid trial since then.

Having recently reviewed the Oakley Radar Lock Path for BNA, I was keen to try these new glasses; the black Fuel Cells have a more attractive look than the Half Jacket 2.0s (in my opinion, anyway) and these ‘sporting style’ sunnies are cheaper than the Radar Lock Paths. The presentation of both sunglasses was basic; they come in a soft pouch rather than a hard case, though as special edition sunnies, the Tour de France theme was featured on the pouch. The black wrap-around Fuel sunglasses looked great with subtle colouring on the side in the Oakley O with silver/black cyclist graphics and tiny ‘le tour’ logo etching on the bottom edge of the lens. The Half Jacket also had an etching on the lens and a more obvious blue rubber coating on the arms.

Both glasses feature darker lenses called “Black Iridium” that have UV filtering and the good visibility that you would expect from Oakley eye wear. If you cycle in darker conditions, the Half Jacket lenses are changeable and I recommend taking time to chose the lens most suited for your riding conditions, though the specially etched Tour de France edition lenses only come in Black Iridium.

The Look and the Fit
Style is subjective, but then again, so is the fit. The Fuel Cells were a close fit for me, though I could feel the bridge on my forehead, which is not a good sign, as I will explain later. I was hoping that the black Fuel Cells would be a bit like the full-rimmed Oakley Racing Jacket sunglasses, which I had tried before, as they looked good both with and without a helmet. The Fuel Cells were, however, a little too short (in height) for my face to be able to wear as fashion sunnies off the bike, so for me it would have to be all about the cycling performance for these glasses.

The Oakley Fuel Cell Tour de France edition sunglasses

The Half Jacket glasses, in contrast, were light and comfortable but, in my opinion, this style of sporting sunnies is strictly for biking and shouldn’t be worn in “public” – it just doesn’t seem right.

The Oakley Half Jacke XL 2.0 Tour de France edition sunglasses

In Action
I took both sunglasses with me for a ride and started out with the black Fuel Cells. Visibility was good for full rimmed sunglasses and I wasn’t distracted by the frame. Picking up a steady pace after I escaped suburbia, I got onto the faster riding route where wind became a problem, the windflow onto my eyes was distracting. I adjusted the frames without relief and also got a slight fog build up in the corners, though this wasn’t cause for concern… yet. Heading anti-clockwise along the well known Akuna Bay route in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney’s north, I started the first gentle climb and, while the slower pace saw the wind issue stop, fog build up was distracting and it wouldn’t clear.

At the top of the climb, at the West Head Road turn-off, I swapped over to the Half Jackets which immediately felt lighter and less confining. On the next long descent right down to the water, the temperature can drop a few degrees, particularly in cooler months, which makes this a good way to test for fogging. The Half-Jackets thankfully remained clear and for the remainder of the ride were simply good sunglasses; they were comfortable, they didn’t let the wind in, and though slight fogging did appear in the upper inside corners, it didn’t grow and distract while riding.

Sunglasses are like a bike seat…I tried the Fuel Cell glasses again on another ride without any improvement. Sunglasses are a bit like bike seats, one-size does not fit all. While the Oakley Fuel Cells were not a good match for me and my riding, I would be reluctant to discount them for every rider. If you have enough space between the bridge and forehead, and the right shaped face, you may not have the fog and wind issues I experienced and it is likely that they will look cooler on you than they do on me.

The Half Jackets, on the other hand, became regular riding glasses for me and are the ones that I can more easily recommend – if your budget doesn’t stretch as fair as the Radar Lock Paths, then these are the ones to get. Where the Radar Lock Path sunglasses really out-perform the Half Jackets is fog dissipation, as they have extra cut-outs in the lenses that let the air out and are really helpful when you stop at traffic lights, where I find sunnies can really get steamed up. The Radar Lock Path sunnies also have a little more space between the top of the frame and my forehead, which is more comfortable for longer rides.

The Verdict

The Half Jacket 2.0 sunglasses are great, straight-up cycling sunglasses and, for the $179 price tag, they are well designed and give you two things you need while cycling: comfort and good visibility.

The $199 Fuel Cells did not suit me for cycling. If you are interested in these glasses, it will be worth trying them on at your Oakley dealer to see if they suit you.

]]>http://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/09/oakley-halfjacket-2-0-xls-fuel-cell-cycling-sunglasses-review/feed/2Dual Eyewear SL2 Pro Cycling Bifocals with a Twisthttp://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/08/dual-eyewear-sl2-pro-cycling-bifocal-sunglasses/
http://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/08/dual-eyewear-sl2-pro-cycling-bifocal-sunglasses/#commentsTue, 06 Aug 2013 00:00:52 +0000http://www.bicycles.net.au/?p=8625When I’m out with my riding partner, I can virtually turn off my own cycling computer because I can just about read the HUGE text on his computer from the other side of the road! My cycling buddy, (let’s call him Phil) bought a Garmin 800 literally just because it had the biggest screen he could […]]]>

When I’m out with my riding partner, I can virtually turn off my own cycling computer because I can just about read the HUGE text on his computer from the other side of the road! My cycling buddy, (let’s call him Phil) bought a Garmin 800 literally just because it had the biggest screen he could find.

Far-sightedness is actually quite common, and after speaking with the eyewear brand Dual Eyewear I have learnt that many riders suffer similarly, or worse! Dual Eyewear have spotted a need and created sports sunglasses (including cycling-specific models) with a bifocal section. The lenses have a magnification section on the inside lower corners of up to +2.5, while the rest is a standard (non-prescription) lens.

My friend, Phil, was really excited to hear about this solution and through BNA, Dual Eyewear lined him up with a pair of SL2 Pro glasses in “smoke” colour – and believe me, he’s given them a workout. You see, while some things we buy are neat but end up on the shelf before long – these days, Phil never rides without his SL2 Pro’s.

That’s despite owning a pair of multifocal prescription glasses that cost well over $700! I’ll explain why in a moment.

After he had time to become familiar with the glasses, I asked him what he liked about them, and here’s how he responded:• The magnification area is quite small
• They’re comfortable and wrap around well
• They’re light
• They look good

On the other hand, this is what he didn’t like:
• Nothing

I laughed and said, “No, that’s not how it works, you need to give a balanced view.”
So he said “They must be expensive”

I told him “They aren’t”
He said “I guess you could say they’re a bit ‘racy’ for some people”

Finally we decided that if we had to nitpick it would be good if the magnification came in more discrete levels (they’re currently available in +1.5, +2.0 and +2.5). Phil’s prescription was supposed to be +1.75 so he went with the +1.5. However, as it turns out, they still worked perfectly.

Earlier, I promised you an explanation of why Phil now rides only with his $84.95 SL2 Pro’s over his custom designed $700 multifocal glasses. So why is it?

Well Phil tells me that very small magnification area is perfect for cycling. Standard mutlifocal lenses are definitely more practical for day-to-day activities (like driving, etc) because your dashboard, desk, etc. takes up quite a large portion of your field of view. Yet on the bike, it’s only a very small patch of the lens through which you read your computer. So for that reason, the SL2 Pro’s are a very elegant solution.

For Phil these glasses do exactly what he needs; they look good, are comfortable, and allows him read his cycling computer at the same price you might pay for any other mid-range pair of standard sports sunglasses.

The SL2 Pro sunglasses are available from selected retailers for $84.95. You can find out more about the sunglasses and where to get them from: dualeyewear.com.au. There are a number of new Dual Eyewear models available this year including the super-cool V8G and V8W styles.

]]>http://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/08/dual-eyewear-sl2-pro-cycling-bifocal-sunglasses/feed/2Sports Optical: Prescription Lenses for Brand Name Cycling Sunglasseshttp://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/04/sports-optical-prescription-lenses-brand-cycling-sunglasses/
http://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/04/sports-optical-prescription-lenses-brand-cycling-sunglasses/#commentsThu, 04 Apr 2013 23:30:00 +0000http://www.bicycles.net.au/?p=7873Sports Optical make prescription lenses that were previously thought impossible. Sure, there are plenty of big manufacturers who make frames that take prescription lenses, but these frames are made to fit the lenses, not the other way around. Sports Optical claim to be experts not only in optometry, but in the specific needs of the sport […]]]>

Sports Optical make prescription lenses that were previously thought impossible. Sure, there are plenty of big manufacturers who make frames that take prescription lenses, but these frames are made to fit the lenses, not the other way around. Sports Optical claim to be experts not only in optometry, but in the specific needs of the sport that we love, while offering a wide range of frames. The lens manufacturer from Denver, Colorado noticed a growing number of orders from Australia and they reached out to Bicycles Network Australia to “see” if they could impress us with their wares.

The Demo Pair: Rudy Project Zyons
In order to test Sports Optical’s claims, I decided to see if they could fit a prescription lens to a pair of Rudy Project Zyons. While many Rudy Project sunglasses are designed to take a prescription insert, Sports Optical claim they are able to create a distance or even multi-focal lens for almost any model in the Rudy Project range. The Zyons are a tough frame to grind a lens for; they wrap around quite a lot and have large lenses. It would be quite a challenge to get a clear image out of every angle due to the large curvature.

I provided my prescription details (it’s best to scan your full prescription printout), selected the frame, and about 6 weeks later I received a pair of Rudy Project Zyon glasses with a polarized brown lens in a -1.00 prescription. While this is a mid-to-low power prescription (it can get a lot worse than this), it’s still a reasonable challenge to grind for a wraparound frame. Also included, surprisingly, was a matching pair of clear lenses for winter riding.

First Impressions
At first, I thought something might have been wrong. Something didn’t feel right. And after speaking with Sports Optical, I received a lesson in prescription lens manufacture. Making a curved lens is a highly specialised procedure. Since the frames are not the exact same shape as your eyeball, the lens manufacturer has to estimate the distance from your pupil to the lens and adjust the magnification appropriately. In the case of my Zyons, I needed to sit them a bit closer to my face, which then brought things into alignment.

In Use
I was really impressed with the overall product. On the bike, the glasses Sports Optical provided were light, clear and comfortable. I saw no noticeable distortion and no glare in my eyes when the sun was behind me. I enjoyed using them so much that I took I took the chance to try these out in various other sports for comparison.

Touch football and soccer proved to be no problem. Cricket and tennis, however, highlighted the inherent compromise of a heavily curved lens. There was sometimes a slight distortion in tracking a ball’s flight through my peripheral vision. With my regular, flat-lens glasses (non-tinted), I’ve never noticed any of these anomalies. This really turned out to be the only area in which I could notice a real-world effect of the highly-curved prescription lenses. Interestingly, I was extremely surprised at how quickly I was able to get used to this. If you engage in ball sports regularly, however, it is worth considering whether curved prescription lenses would be suitable.

The Rudy Project Zyons frame and Sports Optical lenses were really well suited to cycling. The slight lens distortion that was noticeable in the peripheral vision for ball sports never affected judging distance on the bike, picking up irregularities in the road or anything else. Small details on the horizon were just as sharp as the stones and bitumen in front of my tire.

Of course, polarized brown are just about the only way to go for picking up this detail. Grey lenses wash out the contrast of shadows, which are so important for judging distances and depth. In very low-light situations, a rose lens can provide the contrast of a brown lens, while not blocking too much light. Sports Optical can provide all of these in the prescription that you need.

As mentioned, the lenses that Sports Optical provided were very light. They’re made of polycarbonate, have excellent impact resistance characteristics, and can be treated with additional anti-scratch coatings (for a small additional fee, with a 2 year warranty).

Purchasing
Buying glasses online can be intimidating. Fit is very personal and it can be a disaster if things go wrong. Sports Optical were extremely helpful in answering my questions and seemed genuinely passionate about what they do. While many companies see the internet as a chance to distance themselves from their customers and make everything automated to increase volume, Sports Optical encourage anyone interested in buying from them start up a dialogue first – they want you to let them know what you want, what you like and what you’re looking for so they can help you throughout the entire process. Their staff can help you select a style that will suit or advise on lenses. They’re available through Facebook, email or even telephone.

Being a manufacturer, they are able to customise almost anything too. We began to discuss custom grindings and tintings and I quickly got out of my depth. Photochromic options are available, along with custom vents or anti-scratch coatings and more. In my case they were proactive in ensuring that they had everything they needed to be able to deliver a flawless product.

Overall, Sports Optical are attempting to provide the personalised service of a bricks-and-mortar from the other side of the world. In our view, they’re doing a pretty good job of it. I know what I like in a pair of sunglasses and I’ve spent more than I’d care to imagine on them in the past. After discussing my needs with them, Sports Optical suggested almost exactly the same lenses (colour, polarization, tint) I’d picked out and paid for myself just a few months earlier. Passing this genuine test gave me real comfort in writing this review.

Pricing
The prescription lenses from Sports Optical start at $195 with the upgrade to polarized another $54 on top. Purchasing the frames through Sports Optical was cheaper than sourcing it elsewhere and the overall package represented a decent discount on what I could get from a local bricks and mortar store. The big advantage, as I see it, lies in their custom solutions. The cost of this, I know from experience, escalates quickly when dealing with retailers, but seems much more reasonable with Sports Optics.

Sports frames start at $89 and second lenses qualify for a 20% discount. Returning customers (and their extended family!) also receive a 20% discount off their entire order. So, as well as very personalised advice and custom solutions, the possible savings really start to add up.

Being an overseas company, Sports Optical can’t directly bill your health fund provider. However, they can provide invoices and proof of purchase, and you can then apply for reimbursement. It’s worth calling your health provider to ensure you know the cover they are able to provide, and what they need to process this.

Conclusion
Sports Optical have done a remarkable job of fitting a wraparound style pair of cycling glasses with a prescription lens. For riding, the acuity is excellent. Of course, there are inherent challenges in trying to fit lenses to difficult frames, but you do get the benefit of being able to chat with the very people who will be making your glasses and they will let you know exactly what can and can’t be done.

It really makes sense to take your time when ordering anything online, especially when there are a lot of variables that you need to consider. Sports Optical tell us that this is what they want to be known for, taking the time to give you good advice. So if you’re interested, give them a call or drop them an email and they will be more than happy to help you through each step of the process.

You can check-out Sports Optical online, www.sportsoptical.com or send them an email and tell them that Danny from Australia says “G’Day”.

]]>http://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/04/sports-optical-prescription-lenses-brand-cycling-sunglasses/feed/3The Look, the Fit, the Ride: Oakley RadarLock Path Sunglasseshttp://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/03/look-fit-ride-oakley-radarlock-path-sunglasses/
http://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/03/look-fit-ride-oakley-radarlock-path-sunglasses/#commentsSun, 10 Mar 2013 23:26:56 +0000http://www.bicycles.net.au/?p=7865Oakley isn’t the only billion dollar business to start in a Californian garage, but they’re one of the best looking. When Jim Jannard started Oakley back in 1975 he couldn’t have imagined that the world’s best, and most infamous, cyclists would be wearing his performance optics. The RadarLock Path already made it into professional cycling […]]]>

Oakley isn’t the only billion dollar business to start in a Californian garage, but they’re one of the best looking. When Jim Jannard started Oakley back in 1975 he couldn’t have imagined that the world’s best, and most infamous, cyclists would be wearing his performance optics. The RadarLock Path already made it into professional cycling last year, and I was given the opportunity to see how the pros are protecting their eyes.

I discovered the difference between good sunnies and cheap sunnies back in the 90’s when I was working hard as a slave to the fast food industry. I saved up a small fortune to buy a pair of quality sunnies, some Arnette’s. They not only made me feel and look good, they were also comfortable and lasted as good sunnies should. This doesn’t mean I have ignored budget sunglasses completely, though in my experience the difference in quality is like night and day. On the one hand, the cheap sunnies are more easily replaceable if you scratch or break them, but on the other, they usually aren’t as comfortable, they tend to fog up easily, and they may be more likely to let wind through.

The RadarLock Path are definitely a quality pair of sunnies. They are ‘wrap around’ blade style sports sunglasses which Oakley promote as ‘revolutionary’ due to their new mechanism for changing lenses: Switchock. Lets take a look at this technology first.

The Oakley SwitchLock System
If you are familiar with changing lenses on most sports sunglasses, you’ll be familiar with the bending and squeezing required to get the new lense into place. I have never broken a lense doing this and, while it’s a bother, it has never been a major turn-off. Oakley originally presented Switchlock in their Jawbones however in the Radar models this is a completely different system. The Oakley switchlock makes this process of changing lenses on the Radar a little less straight forward at first but thereafter much easier to regularly change lenses. As the major feature of this model, let’s go into detail and unveil the mystery.

1. As a right-hander, to change the lense I held the glass upside down and located the black button with my thumb. What looks like a button you press is in fact a slide button, so using your thumb you slide this back in the direction of the arm.

2. As you slide the button back, with your index finger on the outside you then pull twist the frame in. Obviously, the arms of the sunglasses fold in, but the pivot that will allow the lense to be released is a little further forward.

3. When the corner starts folding in you can release the little black button – the switchlock is now open and the lense can be removed. This is fairly straight forward, the nosepiece wraps onto the lense so you manouver the lense from the nose piece.

4. The lense has little hooks built into its shape and so pulling the lense up-and-out releases the lense from the frame.

Putting a new lense in becomes a little easier; hook the corner in, press the nose piece into the lense and now it sits in place so that you can simply open the sunglasses arm and it all clicks into place.

The switchlock system works well so there is a little less prodding and poking than with other systems. The real advantage is when you ride in different conditions and can decide just before going out which lense you want. After using these sunglasses for a while it took me less that ten seconds for a pitstop to swap the lenses. If you don’t need to change lenses, then the whole switchlock is unnecessary.

The criticism of this system is that you will still get the lense grubby and you’ll need a lense cloth, however there is no lense cloth included though it should be standard. Not a big deal, though for all of the detail Oakley have put into the RadarLock Path, why not go that extra step?

The Details
The Oakley RadarLock Paths come initially with two lenses, which sets you up to be able to benefit from their switchlock system, and the whole package comes in a robust case which nicely holds, pads, and protects the glasses and lenses in transport. You even get a second nose pad which is a little thicker so you can ‘micro-adjust’ and get a good fit.

To further assist in getting a good fit, these sunnies include “unobtanium”. This term is usually used to describe a material or substance that would perfectly resolve a problem in product design but is in itself impossible. After Jim Jannard founded Oakley, he developed a material called unobtainium for use in his eyewear, and in this case the ‘ear sock’ features this rubber type overlay. The point of the Oakley unobtainium is that when it gets wet, such as with sweat, it becomes tacky and thus has better grip. Under a tap I didn’t find that these ‘ear socks’ felt tackier, in fact the opposite, but as I will explain later the fit was that good that this wasn’t an issue.

One of the features that Oakley provide with many glasses is customisation of colours and lenses so that you can mix and match and create a pair of sunnies with the colours you want. The sunnies for review were a standard configuration and quite serious and tech looking with the ‘matt heather grey’ which included accents of black and gunmetal Oakley logos.

When it comes to sunnies, the most important details are the lenses. When you hold the lenses they don’t feel cheap, they had a had a good feel which would lead you to assume that they probably won’t scratch as easily as cheap ones. The lenses are appropriately thick and the edges at the bottom were nicely rounded. There were three things that I really liked about the lenses:

1. Air vents on the top left and right which help to stop them from fogging up;
2. No logos or etching at the bottom edge of the glasses. This is actually an option, but for me these would be in my peripheral vision and I think it is more important to look through the glasses rather than to be reminded of the brand name or some technical detail.
3. Non distorted vision. I tested this claim and, in fact, there was a slight magnification, however it was very minimal and the overall vision through the glasses was consistent without noticeable distortion through the curved lense. This means avoiding headaches caused after a few hours in the saddle when your eyes start complaining that they have to adjust.

The RadarLock Paths came with a grey lense and a G30 Iridium orange lense. Both of course have UV protection and I stuck to the grey lense for the bright sunny riding conditions. The G30 Iridium lense came out for overcast and darker riding conditions as I find they enhance the perception of depth that can otherwise get lost in low and bland light. These two lenses are a good set to have and I would probably only add a clear to the set for night riding.

The Look, the Fit and the Ride
The RadarLock Paths look very fine when you are in the saddle with a helmet on, they’re truly sports sunnies. They are not the type of sunnies that I would wear outside of sport, however. I have tried Oakley Jawbones (which are now the Oakley Jackets) and while they are still sports style glasses, I feel that they look better and I would be more comfortable wearing them out and about.

With functional eyewear the fit is more important that the look. These glasses were great at the front on my nose and had enough space at the top so that the frame didn’t touch my forehead, but on the sides I felt that they pressed in too much. While it meant there was no chance of them falling off, I feared that this would give me headaches, though for the time I had them on I didn’t experience any. These sunnies are a ‘regular fit’ and there is a ‘straight stem’ version for small faces.

The good news about these glasses is that they essentially turned into the type of gear that I like the best – invisible gear. This is the type of gear that you need, like a good pair of cycling knicks, a comfortable helmet or event a groupset, that works as it should and you don’t notice it. I took the RadarLock Paths both mountain biking and road cycling and loved the clarity of the vision, and that there was no wind irritation. Fogging occured only occassionally when stopping at traffic lights and was quite light, the air vents seem to help clear the condensation.

The only criticism I have of the glasses while riding is that, when riding road, compared with mountain biking, where my body is further forward and head down, the top of the frame is in my field of vision, particularly during descents. Oakley have actually recognised this and have an XL version of the RadarLock which increase the height of the sunnies and put the frame, I assume, outside of the field of vision – and you probably get the bonus big lense “Euro-cool” pro cycling effect as well. If you are looking at the Oakley Radar range for cycling it would be worth your while to compare these two and see if the standard size works well or the whether XL is better – simply tilt your head down and look forward, imagining you are descending, and see if the frame bothers you.

It’s a Wrap
It is a matter of preference if you like the wrap around blade style sunnies or prefer two lense type sunnies such as the Oakley Flak Jacket or the bolder Racing Jacket (ex Jawbone) style. The RadarLock Paths are well crafted and for $299.95 are pretty serious for those of us lucky to be without prescription glasses. You do get the performance and the quality, so even if you’re a weekend rider you will probably end up seeing these as a good investment – unless you are prone to sitting on, losing and scratching your glasses.

Other lenses are available (prices will vary) such as Photochromatic and Transitions. Checkout the Oakley Sports Sunglasses range online for specs and configurations. The specific configuration for the sunglasses on review (SKU# OO9181-04) can be seen here: Heather Matt Grey / G30 Iridium Vented and grey Vented.